Critical Requirements

You must complete the following critical requirements by the stated deadlines to advance in your graduate program. Failure to do so will prevent you from completing clinical hours and your degree.

• To enter any clinical site and complete your required practicum hours, you must submit the following critical requirements:
• Background check results
• Drug screening results
• Health clearances, which include verification of the following:
  • Health insurance
  • Active, unrestricted RN licensure
  • CPR certification
  • Tuberculosis screening
  • Immunization records, including proof of seasonal flu vaccination
  • Web-based compliance training module completion certificates
  • Site-specific requirements (if any)

The submission timeline differs by graduate program. Deadlines are listed for MSN and DNP programs and Post-MSN Certificate programs.

You will use a platform called CastleBranch to submit and track your compliance with critical requirements.

You will order a CastleBranch package for a fee using a code unique to the University of Cincinnati and your degree program. The college asks all students to refrain from purchasing a package until the first day of course instruction.

Follow this step-by-step guide to identify your order classification code, place your package order and set up your account: CastleBranch Student Instructions (PDF).

Upon placing your order, you will create your unique profile and generate your login credentials. After you create your account, you can access CastleBranch portal any time at login.castlebranch.com/login.

Yes, there are deadlines by when you must order your CastleBranch package. These deadlines vary by graduate program.

This CastleBranch guide provides step-by-step instructions on the three ways (upload, fax and mail) you can submit your documents: Submitting Documents (PDF).

CastleBranch provides a tracker with a custom list of critical requirements established by UC and based on requirements of the clinical sites in your area. You will be responsible for providing documentation or responding to specific questions to complete each requirement.

Your requirements will be listed in your “To-Do List” and often have due dates for you to complete each requirement. You will be sent an email once a week if you have requirements that are approaching or have passed their due date.

Your specific background check will vary depending on the state in which you reside (or where you will complete clinical activity). Some clinical sites may require subsequent background checks and drug screening to participate in a rotation at their facility. If the clinical site does not coordinate and perform these for you, you can order and pay for additional screenings through CastleBranch. If this is the case, reach out to your clinical site coordinator for further instructions.

For answers to frequently asked questions about CastleBranch, including account management, background checks, drug testing, immunizations and more, visit the CastleBranch Student FAQ.

You will receive a compliance summary. The compliance summary is for you to show to preceptors/faculty members responsible for your clinical practicums to verify that you have met the requirements. If you are unable to produce a valid compliance summary, the preceptor/faculty member will exclude you from all patient contact. Your inability to participate in required clinical experiences may be cause for withdrawing you from the course or may jeopardize your successful completion of the course and prevent your progression in the curriculum. Students must remain compliant at all times. This includes keeping all annual requirement information up to date in your CastleBranch account. Students are strongly encouraged to check their CastleBranch profiles regularly.

Each clinical partner outlines their own vaccination requirements and exemption protocols. They make final determinations regarding vaccination requirements and exemption protocols. Contact your individual clinical site coordinator to discuss your facility's COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

You must be compliant with all required critical requirements to engage in clinical activity. COVID-19 vaccination requirements and exemption protocols are at the discretion of the facility where clinical activity is occurring. We strongly encourage you to upload your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, along with your other critical requirements, to your profile to ensure no delays occur in your ability to engage in clinical activity. A complete and up-to-date profile will support your academic planning.

The Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule was issued on November 5, 2021, by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CMS now mandates that most clinical partners report health care provider vaccination data into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance system. This rule requires clinical partners to report data for all health care personnel in its facilities, including students and faculty. Clinical partners with unvaccinated health care personnel in their facilities could encounter incremental penalties that could result in the loss of federal funding.  The Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule was issued on November 5, 2021 by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CMS now mandates that most clinical partners report health care provider vaccination data into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance system. This rule requires clinical partners to report data for all health care personnel in its facilities, including students and faculty. Clinical partners with unvaccinated health care personnel in their facilities could encounter incremental penalties that could result in the loss of federal funding.   

These resources offer more details on each of the critical requirements, placing your CastleBranch packet order and submitting documentation. Take the time to review the following documents, as they will be useful in facilitating the completion of your critical requirements.

• Critical Requirements Packet (PDF)
  
• CastleBranch Student Instructions (PDF)
  
• CastleBranch Student FAQ
  
• Submitting Documents (PDF)

To access UC College of Nursing's CastleBranch portal, visit portal.castlebranch.com/UE76.

For additional help getting started with CastleBranch, follow the below link to watch short video tutorials that provide answers to frequently asked questions:

• CastleBranch Videos

For further assistance related to critical requirements, email conaprncr@uc.edu.